Tool changer and tool change method

Abstract

A tool changer includes a spindle including a first collet, an auxiliary arm having a second collet, a tool-pan having a plurality of tool-seats, and an auxiliary tool-magazine. The auxiliary tool-magazine comprises a main body, a turnplate rotatable relative to the main body, a first tool-carrier attached to the turnplate, and a second tool-carrier attached to the turnplate.

1. A tool change method, comprising:
 providing a first tool being fixed in a first collet of a spindle; 
 providing a plurality of second tools seated in tool-seats of a tool-pan; 
 relocating an auxiliary arm over the tool-pan; 
 relocating a second collet of the auxiliary arm toward the tool-pan to retrieve one of the plurality of second tools; 
 elevating the second collet of the auxiliary arm; 
 relocating the spindle and the auxiliary arm over a first tool-carrier and a second tool-carrier of an auxiliary tool-magazine, respectively; 
 lowering the first collet of the spindle to deposit the first tool into the first tool-carrier, and lowering the second collet of the auxiliary arm to deposit the second tool into the second tool-carrier; 
 elevating the first collet of the spindle and the second collet of the auxiliary arm, and rotating a turnplate of the auxiliary tool-magazine to exchange the positions of the first tool-carrier and the second tool-carrier; 
 lowering the first collet of the spindle to retrieve the tool carried in the second tool-carrier, and lowering the second collet of the auxiliary arm to retrieve the first tool carried in the first tool-carrier; 
 elevating the first collet of the spindle and the second collet of the auxiliary arm; 
 relocating the auxiliary arm over the vacated tool-seat of the tool-pan; and 
 lowering the second collet of the auxiliary arm to deposit the first tool into the vacant tool-seat. 
 
     
     
       2. The tool change method of  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary tool-magazine comprises a main body, the turnplate being rotatable relative to the main body, the first tool-carrier is attached to the turnplate, and the second tool-carrier is attached to the turnplate. 
     
     
       3. The tool change method of  claim 2 , wherein the main body of the auxiliary tool-magazine comprises a housing and a first rotating shaft rotatably mounted to the housing, wherein the turnplate is fixed to an end of the first rotating shaft. 
     
     
       4. The tool change method of  claim 3 , wherein the housing comprises a top wall, wherein the end of the first rotating shaft extends through the top wall to an outside of the housing to be fixed to the turnplate. 
     
     
       5. The tool change method of  claim 4 , wherein a plurality of ball bearings is employed between the turnplate and the top wall to ease rotation of the turnplate. 
     
     
       6. The tool change method of  claim 3 , wherein the main body of the auxiliary tool-magazine further comprises a second rotating shaft rotatably mounted to the housing, the second rotating shaft is perpendicular to the first rotating shaft, a first bevel gear is attached to the first rotating shaft, a second bevel gear is attached to the second rotating shaft and engaged with the first bevel gear of the first rotating shaft. 
     
     
       7. The tool change method of  claim 6 , wherein an end of the second rotating shaft opposite to the second bevel gear extends outside the housing. 
     
     
       8. The tool change method of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second rotating shafts engage the housing via a plurality of bearings, so as to be rotatably mounted to the housing.